The role of a single gene encoding the Single von Willebrand factor C-domain protein (SVC) in bumblebee immunity extends beyond antiviral defense.

The role of a single gene encoding the Single von Willebrand factor C-domain protein (SVC) in bumblebee immunity extends beyond antiviral defense. Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2017 Oct 23;: Authors: Wang H, Smagghe G, Meeus I Abstract The Single von Willebrand factor C-domain proteins (SVCs) are a group of short proteins mainly found in arthropods. They are proposed to be responsive in relation to environmental challenges including the nutritional status, bacterial and viral infections. The SVC protein Vago acts as a cross-talk molecule between the small interfering RNA (siRNA) pathway and the Jak/STAT pathway upon viral infection in Drosophila melanogaster and Culex mosquito cells. Unlike flies and mosquitoes that possess diverse SVCs, most bee species only have one of which the function remains unclear. Here we investigated whether this single SVC within the genome of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris is also involved in the host antiviral immunity and whether links with other immune pathways can be found. We can show the presence of two key characteristics of Vago linked with BtSVC in bumblebees. The antiviral character is proven by silencing BtSVC, which lead to increased Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) levels in the fat body. Second, the silencing of BtDicer-2 resulted in a lower expression of BtSVC and increased IAPV levels, confirming the link between Dicer-2 and BtSVC. We were, however, unable to demonstrate a third known role...
Source: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Insect Biochem Mol Biol Source Type: research